Preserving Pilates in a Expanding Reformer Landscape
Pilates is evolving. That much is clear. The growing popularity of reformer fitness and athletic-based group classes has ushered in a new era of movement culture, one where access, energy, and creativity are at an all-time high. But for those of us who have dedicated our lives to the practice and pedagogy of Pilates, the question arises: how do we preserve the technique, the method, and the deeper purpose of Pilates while allowing space for its growth?
It starts with respect. Not only for the tradition, but for the body.
The Pilates method is a system, a structure, and a lineage of movement that is incredibly intelligent in its design. At its best, it teaches movement literacy: how to move efficiently, with power and precision, throughout a lifetime. It doesn't need to be made more interesting or flashy. It needs to be taught well.
And that, I believe, is where the opportunity lies.
Reformer fitness classes and hybrid formats aren’t inherently a threat to the method. But when technique is consistently bypassed in favor of trends or intensity, we risk disconnecting from what makes the method effective: its ability to promote deep coordination, controlled strength, and long-term movement efficiency.
Preserving technique isn’t about gatekeeping the work or turning our backs on evolution. It’s about keeping the conversation rooted in quality. It means knowing the difference between cueing for speed and cueing for sensation. Between movement that is impressive, and movement that is intelligent.
In The Somaphyx Pilates Method, we approach this as a conversation of inclusion and intention. Our method is grounded in traditional principles while being informed by contemporary science and teaching methods. We train teachers to adapt without losing structure. To remain true to the system while staying responsive to the person in front of them. It’s not enough to memorize choreography; we emphasize understanding the why behind each movement and delivering it with clarity and purpose.
If we want Pilates to stay Pilates, even in a high-paced group fitness world, we need to keep training teachers who understand the system. Not just the moves, but the why. We must value mentorship, embodied learning, and the subtle skill of observation. Technique can evolve, but it must be passed down with care.
There is room for reformer fitness and Pilates to coexist. There is room for curiosity and structure. But we also need a shared thread of integrity that anchors the work in its roots, even as it grows.
If the next generation of movers only learns the choreography without the context, the method risks dilution. But if they learn the context, the why, and the how then we’re not just building stronger bodies. We’re building better teachers, smarter practitioners, and a more resilient profession.
This investment in comprehensive instruction also impacts career longevity. According to Zippiai, while fitness instructors may change job locations frequently averaging just 1-2 years per position. This reflects a broader pattern of turnover in the industry.
It's worth asking: are these instructors getting the mentorship and education they need to build lasting, meaningful careers? Quick certification programs and surface-level trainings often leave instructors without the depth needed to sustain a long-term path. As an industry, we must take shared responsibility. Providing better mentorship, richer continuing education, and pathways for growth beyond choreography alone. Programs like The Somaphyx Pilates Method focus not only on comprehensive teacher education but also offer modular equipment training, helping teachers build both broad knowledge and hands-on expertise across the Reformer, Tower, Chair, and more.
At the same time, instructors must take ownership of their professional development by seeking out deeper learning, staying curious, and committing to the full breadth of the work. True career longevity comes from a blend of industry support and individual accountability. When we train teachers to truly know the work, we aren't just shaping stronger movers. We're building sustainable, meaningful careers.
Yet we cannot ignore the context. For too long, the traditional work in Pilates was kept behind closed doors, accessible to only a select few. This exclusivity preserved certain elements of the method but also inadvertently stifled broader understanding and innovation. As Pilates expanded into new spaces, it often evolved without consistent guidance, creating gaps between tradition and modern practice.
Now is the time for change. We need programs that are dedicated not just to producing instructors, but to developing true teachers. Teachers who are equipped to pass on the integrity of the method thoughtfully and skillfully. It also requires shedding outdated administrative practices that prioritized protectionism over education. True preservation of Pilates won't come from keeping the doors closed; it will come from opening them wider with intention, mentorship, and a commitment to excellence.
Let's keep the technique in the method, the method in the message, and the message clear: Pilates is for everybody, but not every movement is Pilates.
Danica is a Pilates practitioner and movement educator with over 20 years of experience. Her studio, Pilates 804 in Richmond, Virginia is the homebase for Somaphyx®. Danica’s unique teacher training and mentoring programs.
You can contact Danica from Pilates 804 here
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